Kalam's dream project 'Mobile Science Lab' works in Bihar

Darbhanga (Bihar), Jul 29: Inspired by late former President APJ Abdul Kalam, the 'Mobile Science Laboratory' (MSL) vans are imparting knowledge in science to children particularly in rural areas of the state.

The MSL van was launched in 2010 on the suggestion of Kalam by Manas Bihari Verma, his former colleague in the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bengaluru.

"It was a dream project of the former President Kalam and he regularly used to enquire about its functioning in rural areas of Bihar," Verma told PTI today.

Presently there are three vans, equipped with physics, chemistry and life science laboratories, moving around schools in the rural areas of Darbhanga, Madhubani and Patna, he said.

Verma's NGO 'Vikshit Bharat Foundation' runs the MSL programme. "So far the MSL vans have visited 300 schools in rural areas of the state," Verma said. Each van has over 150 scientific apparatus with demonstrators who guide the children with the help of various science models.

Verma said the former President had visited Darbhanga in December 2012 at his request and had stayed in the North Bihar town for two days.

During his stay, he talked in detail about the mobile labs and provided suggestions on how to make it more effective. "Through these science vans we'll try to spread his message far and wide to realise his dream that every children should have knowledge in science," Verma said.

PTI